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A long-acting methylphenidate transdermal formulation is available. As with any

transdermal system, drug delivery can vary greatly because of heat and site-related

skin porosity differences. AUC and Cmax can increase 300% if the patch is applied

to an inflamed area and 250% if the patch area is exposed to heat such as going

outside and exercising in the sun.

2,41–43 The patch is applied to the hip area for 9

hours, and methylphenidate is steadily released and absorbed into the circulation for

about 11.5 hours. When compared to the oral long-acting Oros release system,

methylphenidate’s side effects were similar between the two products but

numerically higher in the transdermal arm compared to the oral arm. One side effect

exclusive to the patch is skin irritation which can occur from 3% to 40%.

41

Amphetamines, including mixed amphetamine salts, dextroamphetamine, and

lisdexamfetamine, enhance the release of both dopamine and norepinephrine from

storage vesicles in the presynaptic neuron and block their storage in addition to

blocking their reuptake from the synaptic cleft. They also have a weak MAOI

effect.

44,45

Dextroamphetamine is metabolized via CYP2D6. A strong inhibitor of 2D6 could

increase levels twofold. The long-acting prodrug lisdexamfetamine requires

enzymatic hydrolysis in the blood to cleave off the L-lysine portion of the molecule.

This leaves just dexamphetamine available for activity.

46,47 Lisdexamfetamine is

rapidly absorbed, but the step of hydrolysis results in a delayed release of

dextroamphetamine in the circulation allowing for once a day dosing.

Since approximately two-thirds of children and adolescents with ADHD respond

equally to methylphenidate or amphetamine products, the preferred agent should be

based on duration of action, formulation preferences, and cost.

33 As shown in Table

89-2, stimulant preparations are classified based on duration (i.e., immediate [2–5

hours], intermediate [6–8 hours], and long-acting [10–12 hours]) and available

delivery systems. Long-acting formulations are preferable to intermediate and short

acting, because it provides uninterrupted benefit allowing the child to avoid going to

the school nurse for doses or lack of effect between doses.

48 Many long-acting

options are biphasic, which provides an immediate-release (IR) dose then a second

long-acting dose a few hours later. For example, Ritalin LA, Metadate CD, Focalin

XR, and Adderall XR all contain both immediate and enteric-coated, delayed-release

beads that mimic the blood concentrations seen with immediate-release stimulant

preparations given twice daily. Although a prescription methamphetamine product

does have FDA approval for treatment of ADHD, no expert guidelines recommend it

because of high-abuse liability and neurotoxicity.

Adverse Effects

Both types of stimulants are similar in their side effect profiles. Adverse drug

reactions such as insomnia and appetite loss are mild, and tolerance often develops

within a few days. These reactions can be easily managed by adjustment in dose and

timing if necessary (Table 89-3). In a double-blind, crossover study comparing side

effects of methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine, surveyed parents reported

worsening appetite (vs. baseline) with methylphenidate; severe insomnia and

appetite suppression were reported with dextroamphetamine.

49 Side effects that were

significantly more severe with methylphenidate (vs. dextroamphetamine) included

insomnia, appetite suppression, irritability, proneness to crying, anxiety, dysphoria,

and nightmares.

49 Only 3.2% of patients treated with either drug discontinued the

medication because of side effects. Another head-to-head trial showed similar types

and rates of adverse effects for IR methylphenidate and IR dextro/levo

amphetamine.

50

p. 1868

p. 1869

Table 89-3

Managing Adverse Effects of Stimulants Used in Children with Attention Deficit

Hyperactivity Disorder

Adverse Effect Management

Decreased appetite, nausea, or

growth impairment

Schedule evening meals after medication has worn off

Take drug after meals

Encourage foods with high caloric density or nutritionalsupplements

Encourage evening/bedtime snack

Switch from long-acting to short-acting preparation

Consider a drug holiday when appropriate

Sleep disturbance Administer doses earlier in the day

If using a sustained-release product, consider changing to a shortacting preparation

Discontinue afternoon/evening dose

Behavioral rebound If using short-acting preparation, consider changing to a long-acting

preparation

Overlap stimulant dosing

Irritability Assess time of symptoms:

Related to peak: reduce dose or try long-acting preparation

Related to withdrawal: change to long-acting preparation

Evaluate for comorbid diagnosis

Dysphoria, moodiness, agitation,

dazed, or withdrawn behavior

Decrease dose or change to long-acting preparation

Consider comorbid diagnosis

Dizziness Monitor blood pressure

Encourage fluid intake

Lower dose or change to long-acting preparation to reduce peak

effects

Development or increase in tic

disorder

Stop stimulant

Consider trial of clonidine or guanfacine

Consider referral to physician

There is an association between stimulant use and growth retardation. The relative

impact of this seems minimal and can be reduced or eliminated with drug

holidays.

51–53 There seems to be no loss of efficacy if the child does have a drug

holiday and stops the medication over weekends holidays or summer months.

54 The

risk of drug holidays is a worsening of symptoms and this may have impact on social

maturation.

There was concern that the stimulants may have a cardiotoxicity risk. Population

studies suggest, however, that the overall risk of sudden death associated with

stimulant use has been shown to be the same, if not lower, than that of the general

population.

55 Slight increases in BP and HR are seen with methylphenidate and

amphetamines, although ECG changes are very rare.

56–58 Clinicians should follow

current recommendations suggested by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the

American Heart Association, which advocate screening for a personal or family

history of cardiovascular disease in all children with ADHD. Continual monitoring

for these risks along with routine blood pressure and heart rate assessments should

be performed.

59 Pretreatment ECGs are not required but recommended by the AHA

as general practice for all children. Stimulants should not be used in those with

known structural cardiac abnormalities.

60

NON-STIMULANTS

For patients with ADHD only, it is recommended to initiate treatment with either a

methylphenidate or an amphetamine.

2,32–34 For patients who fail both types of

stimulants or when stimulants are not preferred, a trial of a non-stimulant is

warranted (Table 89-2). Non-stimulants are less effective than stimulants and usually

require at least 4 weeks until a full response is evident. A meta-analysis of 29

double-blind, placebo-controlled trials evaluated the efficacy of stimulant and nonstimulant agents using 17 outcome measures in 4,465 children and adolescents with

ADHD.

61

It found that the effect size of amphetamine and methylphenidate was

significantly greater than that for atomoxetine, bupropion, and modafinil (p = 0.02).

61

If atomoxetine fails or is not indicated, the α2

-adrenergic agonists clonidine and

guanfacine should be considered.

31–33

Atomoxetine

Atomoxetine inhibits the presynaptic norepinephrine transporter and is classified as

norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (NRI). Clinical trials have shown that atomoxetine

is superior to placebo in reducing the symptoms of ADHD in children, adolescents,

and adults.

62,63 However, trials comparing atomoxetine with stimulants have found

atomoxetine to be less effective.

2,64–67

Atomoxetine is likely to have some immediate benefit after initiation but unlike the

stimulants a longer trial of 6 to 8 weeks is recommended as efficacy continues to

grow. Atomoxetine requires a 10- to 14-day titration to achieve a therapeutic dose of

1 to 1.5 mg/kg/day to avoid nausea (12%), vomiting (15%), and asthenia (11%).

68 As

with stimulants, atomoxetine can also raise blood pressure and heart rate, with

reports of high systolic and diastolic blood pressures occurring in 8.6% and 5.2% of

pediatric subjects, respectively. Increases in heart rate of more than 110 beats/minute

and more than 25 beats/minute above baseline were observed in 3.6% of patients.

68

Atomoxetine is metabolized via CYP 450 2D6, with the major metabolite being 4-

hydroxyatomoxetine which is also a potent inhibitor of NE reuptake but at low

concentration levels. It has a half-life of 4 to 5 hours but can be extended by about 3

hours with a high fat meal.

69

p. 1869

p. 1870

There have been postmarketing cases of reversible hepatic injury in association

with atomoxetine, but this is quite rare.

70 Baseline liver enzyme testing should be

performed, and evidence of jaundice or liver injury should warrant immediate

discontinuation. Atomoxetine also contains the warning regarding increased risk of

suicidal thoughts that are part of all antidepressant class labeling. However, a metaanalysis of 14 trials found that no subject committed suicide. Suicidal ideation in the

atomoxetine group was 5/1,357 (0.37%) and placebo group was 0/851 (0%).

71 So,

despite the low risk, monitoring frequently for the first 3 months of treatment is

required by the FDA.

α2

-Agonists

Clonidine and guanfacine are α2

-agonists that have been used for years off-label to

control hyperactive/impulsive or aggressive symptoms and insomnia.

72 They are

believed to directly stimulate the postsynaptic norepinephrine receptors in the

prefrontal cortex and locus coeruleus. Guanfacine is most specific for the α-2a

receptor, while clonidine is less specific and agonizes α-2a, b, and c. The FDA has

approved extended-release formulations for clonidine and guanfacine both as

monotherapy and as adjuncts to stimulants. Clonidine and guanfacine are also

approved as adjuncts to stimulants for ADHD. Although they are a monotherapy

option, they are not considered as first line as they are less effective than stimulants.

They are particularly useful for behavioral comorbidities, such as aggression and

tics.

31–34,73–75

Guanfacine is primarily metabolized via CYP 3A4, and potent inhibitors can

increase blood levels by 200%. Guanfacine extended release provides

approximately 60% of the serum levels of the immediate-release version. Clonidine

is partially metabolized via CYP 2D6, although inhibitors of this pathway have only

minor changes in serum levels.

76 The extended-release version has an AUC

approximately 89% of the immediate release.

The side effect profile of α-2 agonists is quite different than the stimulants and

atomoxetine. Sedation and related side effects can occur in nearly 40% for both.

Reductions in BP and HR can occur and need to be monitored. Bradycardia (HR <

60 bpm) can occur in up to 20% of children with clonidine and is a side effect of

guanfacine also but to a lesser degree. This is likely because of guanfacine’s

specificity to α 2a. Rebound hypertension can occur if either of these medications are

stopped abruptly.

73

Despite positive studies with immediate-release formulations, the short duration of

action makes them less desirable than the QD dosing of guanfacine ER and the BID

dosing clonidine extended-release formulation.

32

CASE 89-1, QUESTION 4: It is agreed upon by the parents and the pediatrician that M.T., the 12-year-old

female, will begin using a medication for her ADHD symptoms. What would be the first-line option for M.T.?

Either stimulant groups are considered first line and in this case methylphenidate

10 mg qam is tried. After steadily increasing the dose to 30 mg qam the parents feel

that there is minimal change in attention, but that there are significant side effects of

nausea and loss of appetite.

CASE 89-1, QUESTION 5: What would be the next trial of medication for M.T.?

Expert guidelines state that if medication is decided upon then the greatest efficacy

is from the stimulants. Neither stimulant is considered superior to the other and initial

choice should be based on the comfort level of the clinician and patient/parent

acceptance. If the initial choice of stimulant is ineffective, it is recommended to trial

the other stimulant class. By doing this 90% of children will display efficacy.

Therefore, the next trial for M.T. should be the initiation of dextroamphetamine 5 mg

qam and titrate as tolerated to a maximum of 40 mg a day.

CASE 89-1, QUESTION 6: M.T. is showing some improvement on 10 mg qam of immediate-release

dextroamphetamine, but it is clearly wearing off about 4 hours after dosing. Dosing of 10 mg BID was tried

during a school vacation and found to be somewhat effective; thus, the pediatrician decided to switch to longacting dextroamphetamine spansules 20 mg qam. This clearly has shown to last throughout M.T.’s school day,

but efficacy is not maximized and some residual symptoms of poor attention and hyperactivity exists. What is

the next step of pharmacotherapy for M.T.?

Increasing the dose to 30 mg qam is possible. Although a switch from a stimulant

to atomoxetine could be tried, data have shown that atomoxetine is less effective than

stimulants. Experts recommend that combination therapy of a stimulant and an α-2

agonist is appropriate, and studies have shown an increase in efficacy from

monotherapy to combination therapy.

Comorbidities

TOURETTE’S SYNDROME AND TIC DISORDER

Tourette’s syndrome is neuropsychiatric condition which has tics as a hallmark

symptom. Children with ADHD have a higher risk of comorbid tic disorder than the

general population; however, stimulants are relatively safe in this population. As an

example, the Tourette’s Syndrome Study Group contrasted the effect of

methylphenidate, clonidine, and the combination of the two to placebo in the

treatment of 136 children (7–14 years old) diagnosed with ADHD and Tourette

syndrome.

77 The group concluded that prior recommendations to avoid

methylphenidate in these children because of concerns of worsening tics were

unsupported. As such, expert recommendations are that a child with ADHD should

start on methylphenidate, and if tics emerge or worsen then a switch to atomoxetine

or clonidine is warranted. A meta-analysis of studies with subjects who have ADHD

and Tourette’s syndrome concluded that methylphenidate shows the greatest

improvement in ADHD symptoms without worsening tics in most kids. α-2 Agonists

offer less efficacy in ADHD symptoms but greater control over tics compared to

methylphenidate. Atomoxetine offers benefit on both groups of symptoms and is an

option.

32,74,75 Amphetamines should be avoided because although they do treat ADHD

symptoms, they have a higher chance of worsening tics compared to

methylphenidate.

74,75

A review regarding treatment of tic disorders without comorbid ADHD states that

the α-2 agonists guanfacine and clonidine are recommended as first-line options.

Guanfacine may be preferred because of less sedation than clonidine.

78

ANXIETY DISORDER

Anxiety disorders are more frequently comorbid in the ADHD child (approximately

ninefold) and adult (approximately fourfold) compared to the frequency seen in the

general population. Despite the fact that the anxiety disorder may be a separate

illness, anxiety symptoms in the child can be directly related to poor performance

because of ADHD symptoms. Treatment with a stimulant that subsequently improves

performance will reduce the anxiety. However, some children after a trial with a

stimulant will not have an anxiety reduction or it may even worsen. At this point a

trial with atomoxetine is recommended over treating the anxiety with an SSRI and

continuing the stimulant.

2,79

p. 1870

p. 1871

SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Despite the fact that stimulants are medications with an abuse risk, multiple studies

have shown a protective effect against developing a substance-use disorder with

children who derive a benefit to their ADHD symptoms from the medication. A metaanalysis of epidemiologic literature led to the conclusion that stimulant-treated

patients with a diagnosis of ADHD were less likely to be diagnosed with substanceuse disorder than those not treated with stimulants.

80 Using a stimulant for ADHD in a

current substance abuser has contradictory results. Stimulants do treat the ADHD

symptoms but not as robustly as those without a concurrent substance-use disorder.

They do not seem to reduce the substance use but clearly do not worsen it.

81 Expert

opinion suggests that those with current substance-use disorders should be tried on

non-stimulant options first, but stimulants are not fully contraindicated and can be

used with close monitoring. There is growing data to support that there is a high rate

of diversion of stimulants in the college population. One report correlated an

increased incidence of diversion with increased difficulty of the academic

program.

32,82,83

If misuse and diversion are of concern, methylphenidate comes as a transdermal

patch formulation, and dextroamphetamine is available as a hard to abuse prodrug

lisdexamfetamine.

32,34,43,44,46

Despite the potential for being less effective than a stimulant, atomoxetine has

preferred benefits in specific patient subtypes. Because it is not a stimulant, its risk

of abuse and diversion are low and is preferred in patients with an addictions

disorder history or living in a household where someone other than the patient (e.g.,

parent or sibling) has an addiction disorder and may take the patients medications.

PSYCHOSIS

Stimulants may cause psychosis. This is because of the enhancement of DA centrally.

If the child is acknowledging hallucinations or exhibiting bizarre behavior then

cessation of the stimulant is required. A rechallenge can occur but at a lower dose. If

a child stabilized on the medication starts to exhibit psychotic symptoms then one

should assess for drug interactions. The methylphenidate transdermal patch

formulation can have greater unexpected fluctuations in blood levels because of a

greater range of absorption compared to the oral formulations.

42,43 The absorption of

the transdermal patch is influenced by placement site and temperature of the skin.

Treating this side effect with an antipsychotic is not recommended.

32

Other Non-FDA Pharmacotherapy

BUPROPION

Bupropion has been shown to be effective compared to placebo, but it is less

effective than stimulants in treatment of ADHD.

67 Randomized, controlled trials have

established the effectiveness of bupropion as an alternative to the psychostimulants in

the treatment of ADHD in children, adolescents, and adults.

84–86 The two most

common adverse effects encountered with bupropion in ADHD studies were

dermatologic reactions and seizures. Dermatologic reactions occurred twice as often

with bupropion compared with placebo. Severe bupropion-induced urticaria

required discontinuation in 5.5% (4 of 72) of the patients in one study.

87

In adults, the

risk of seizures increases by about fourfold if extended-release doses of greater than

450 mg/day or greater than 400 mg/day sustained-release doses of bupropion doses

are exceeded.

88 Although there are no case reports of seizures in children receiving

therapeutic doses of bupropion, it is recommended to limit doses to less than 6

mg/kg/day in the treatment of ADHD and to avoid using bupropion in patients with a

history of seizure disorders.

MODAFINIL

Modafinil has been found to be effective in the treatment of prepubescent, adolescent,

and adult patients with ADHD.

89,90 The 2006 Pediatric FDA advisory committee

reviewed the efficacy and safety of modafinil for ADHD and determined the drug

was effective but rejected its approval for ADHD based on concerns about safety.

Twelve of 933 patients developed a skin rash, with one case thought to be Stevens–

Johnson syndrome.

91

TRICYCLIC ANTIDEPRESSANTS (TCAS) AND SEROTONIN AND

NOREPINEPHRINE REUPTAKE INHIBITORS (SNRIS)

As recently as 2007 guidelines reported, TCAs could be an option for ADHD.

However, their poor tolerability and dangerous effect on cardiac conduction has

resulted in more recently published guidelines in 2011 and 2014 to not recommend

them.

2,32–34

The SNRI venlafaxine has shown efficacy in both adolescents and adults with

ADHD. This is a legitimate choice for comorbid anxious or depressed older patients,

but because of antidepressants having a risk of increasing suicidal thinking in

children, other options should be tried first. Adults often have this comorbidity and

venlafaxine in that population is more likely to be used.

32

Alternative Therapy

There have been a number of studies that have tried to discern if certain diets may

result in ADHD. One of the most famous regimens is the Feingold Diet. Recent

reviews on the topic have found the evidence to be of low quality and of small

benefit. Most studies have not been blinded and when efficacy is noted it is of lower

rates than the FDA-approved pharmacotherapies. Additionally, there is a practical

limitation to the implementation of these diets as it eliminates many of the foods that

are regular parts of American meals. At this time it does seem reasonable to assume

that some children’s ADHD-like behavior may be related to intolerance to certain

dyes, artificial sweeteners, and flavors. One should not discourage a parent to

promote healthier food selection for their child, but the effectiveness of lowering

their symptoms is marginal. Additionally, if a child has a delay in administration of

pharmacotherapy because of trials of different types of diets then this could result in

persistency of symptoms longer than is necessary.

92

Many companies have created dietary supplements that have been touted as

effective remedies for treating and preventing ADHD, but convincing results derived

from rigorous trials are currently lacking and are likely to benefit a very few children

with food allergies or intolerances.

92–94 For instance, the use of very high doses of

vitamins or minerals has been promoted as a possible intervention, but all

randomized, controlled trials conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of megavitamin

therapy have been negative to date.

95 Omega-3 fatty acids have been considered as

possible treatments for ADHD, based largely on population studies demonstrating an

association between high dietary intake and a reduced risk of various

neuropsychiatric disorders. Omega-3 supplementation, specifically EPA content, may

have a small benefit as monotherapy. Studies of omega-3 as an adjunct to stimulants

have shown little added benefit.

96,97 Similarly, there have been reports of zinc, iron,

magnesium, Hypericum (St. John’s wort), and gingko all relieving ADHD symptoms,

but the evidence to support these interventions is very limited at the present time.

98

There have been other somatic treatments aimed at relieving ADHD symptoms that

may prove to be beneficial in the years ahead.

98 Several small randomized studies

have reported benefits with neurofeedback, in which children are trained to modify

certain brain activities demonstrated on electroencephalographic tracings (e.g.,

increased slow wave or α activity). Preliminary evidence also supports the

exploration of meditation as an effective

p. 1871

p. 1872

intervention for ADHD, particularly mindfulness-based methods that have proven

to be particularly helpful for depression and chronic pain conditions.

99 Clinic-based

interventions have included cognitive-behavioral therapy, social skills training

programs and computer-based cognitive training programs. Early studies of some of

these intervention strategies have been promising and there is need for further

research to establish efficacy.

35 Regarding acupuncture a recent systematic review

failed to find any studies of sufficient rigor to include in their analysis.






failed to find any studies of sufficient rigor to include in their analysis.

100

ADULTS WITH ATTENTION DEFICIT

HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER

CASE 89-2

QUESTION 1: K.C. is a 27-year-old female who is an adjunct professor in a pharmacy program and comes

to a retail pharmacy wanting to fill a prescription for dextroamphetamine IR 10 mg tid #90. What are the

treatment recommendations for an adult with ADHD?

It is estimated that two-thirds of children with ADHD will continue to have

significant symptomatology as adults.

11 Often the hyperactivity/impulsivity aspect of

the illness becomes less pronounced once the child hits adolescence, but the

symptoms of inattention persist into adulthood.

6 Even though many of the children

with ADHD may no longer satisfy strict diagnostic criteria for ADHD as adults, the

severity and persistence of inattentive symptoms can continue to cause considerable

social and functional disability. One investigation followed 128 children with

ADHD for several years and reported that hyperactivity and impulsivity symptoms

were seen to decline at a higher rate than inattention symptoms.

6 Other researchers

have followed children with ADHD to adulthood by comparing the academic records

of control subjects and ADHD adults. The latter had significantly higher rates of

repeated grades, tutoring, placement in special classes, and reading disability.

101,102

Children with ADHD will have greater morbidity in psychosocial and educational

areas in adulthood compared to adults who did not have ADHD as children.

103 Adults

with ADHD have been found to achieve lower socioeconomic status and experience

more work difficulties and more frequent job changes.

104 Adults with ADHD

reported more psychologic maladjustment, more speeding violations, and more

frequent changes in employment.

105 More adults with ADHD had their driver’s

licenses suspended, had performed more poorly at work, and had quit or been fired

from their job. Adults with ADHD were also more likely to have had multiple

marriages.

11

The diagnostic criteria for ADHD in adults are the same as for children and

adolescents (DSM-5).

4 However, only five of either hyperactivity/impulsivity or

inattention must be present for a minimum of 6 months, impairing function in two or

more settings. A diagnosis of ADHD in adults also requires evidence that symptoms

were present before the age of 12. One study compared the functional outcomes of

adults with ADHD before age 7 with adults, who had the requisite symptoms but

lacked conclusive evidence of childhood onset. The investigators found no difference

between the two groups in primary outcomes such as learning disabilities, arrests,

motor vehicle accidents, and divorce.

106

Current treatment recommendations for ADHD in adults continue to support

pharmacotherapy as the first-line option for moderate-to-severe symptoms.

32

Although benefits have been noted for psychotherapeutic approaches such as

cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectic behavioral therapy, these interventions are

recommended only for adults exhibiting suboptimal response to approved

medications.

107,108

A variety of medications have been reported to be beneficial for ADHD in adults,

including methylphenidate, dexmethylphenidate, mixed amphetamine salts,

lisdexamfetamine, desipramine, bupropion, atomoxetine α-2 agonists, venlafaxine,

and modafinil.

85,90,109–116 The stimulants and atomoxetine are FDA approved in

adults.

32

In general, the effect sizes for these ADHD medications in adults have been

very similar to what has traditionally been reported in children. A meta-analysis of

medications for ADHD in adults found that long-acting stimulants were significantly

more effective than non-stimulant drugs, but that the effectiveness of shorter-acting

stimulants was comparable to the latter.

9 The authors also noted that lower doses

appeared to be more effective for inattention than hyperactivity. For example, doses

for immediate-release methylphenidate were more conservative (0.3 mg/kg per dose

in adults) when inattention was the predominate feature. In contrast, doses of up to

0.6 mg/kg immediate-release methylphenidate were often necessary to optimally

control the behavioral feature of the disorder in children.

117 These methylphenidate

doses are consistent with 0.5 to 1.0 mg/kg/day doses found to be effective in

children.

110 Mixed amphetamine salts were effective in doses of 20 to 60 mg/day.

111

The effective dose of desipramine was approximately 150 mg/day.

114 Bupropion was

generally dosed at 3 mg/kg/day.

85 The two large studies of atomoxetine used doses

that ranged from 60 to 120 mg/day.

114,115 The mean effective dose for modafinil was

207 mg/day.

90

Treatment with stimulants or atomoxetine have shown improvements in reduced

criminality and driving accidents.

118–121

CASE 89-2, QUESTION 2: Before filling the prescription for K.C. the pharmacist reviews it and finds that it

is written within 30 days. He also checks the prescription drug monitoring program in his state and finds that she

has filled a prescription for the same drug and directions 25, 28, 54, and 56 days ago at other retail pharmacies.

These double fills are also written by two different physicians.

What would be an appropriate response by the pharmacist to K.C.’s request?

As noted above, ADHD symptoms can persist into adulthood for many children. A

positive history of either an ADHD diagnosis or untreated symptoms in childhood is

required for an adult to be diagnosed with ADHD. However, many other diseases

can lead to a false positive. Complete blood counts, urine toxicology, and head injury

must all be evaluated along with psychiatric conditions such as bipolar disorder,

anxiety disorders, and major depressive disorder.

122 Also, one cannot rule out the

possibility of substance-use disorder. As with other drugs that have an abuse

liability, stimulants can either be abused by the patient or diverted and sold to those

who want to use them for their euphoria-inducing effect instead of helping treat

ADHD. There is an increasing amount of data reporting the intermittent use of

stimulants by college students for study enhancement and abuse, particularly when

mixed with a sedating drug of abuse. Therefore, the pharmacist should consult with

the clinician who wrote the prescription alerting him to the recent fill at another

pharmacy. It is quite possible that this new prescription is legitimate, but it is also

possible that K.C. is misusing the dextroamphetamine herself or diverting them to

others. A reevaluation of her diagnosis is necessary. If it is confirmed that the patient

does have ADHD then options would be to switch to a less abusable stimulant such

as lisdexamfetamine or methylphenidate transdermal patch. Switching to the nonabusable atomoxetine is recommended because even though these stimulant

formulations are less abusable they are not devoid of abuse risk. Atomoxetine or the

non-FDA adult approved agents such as α-2 agonists or bupropion, venlafaxine, and

modafinil will likely be less effective than the stimulant for ADHD but provide a

safer abuse-risk possibility.

p. 1872

p. 1873

KEY REFERENCES AND WEBSITES

A full list of references for this chapter can be found at

http://thepoint.lww.com/AT11e. Below are the key references and websites for this

chapter, with the corresponding reference number in this chapter found in parentheses

after the reference.

Key References

Bolea-Alamanac B et al. Evidence-based guidelines for the pharmacologic management of attention deficit

hyperactivity disorder: update on recommendations from the British Association for Psychopharmacology. J

Psychopharmacol. 2014;1–25. (32)

Canadian Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Resource Alliance (CADDRA). Canadian ADHD Practice

Guidelines. 3rd ed. Toronto, ON: CADDRA; 2011. (34)

Clinical Practice Guideline ADHD. Clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis evaluation, and treatment of

attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents. Pediatrics. 2011;128(5):1–16. (33)

Key Websites

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. http://www.aacap.org.

National Alliance on Mental Illness. http://www.nami.org.

National Institute of Mental Health. http://www.nimh.nih.gov.

NIMH website. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/funding/clinical-research/practical/mta/the-multimodaltreatment-of-attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-study-mta-questions-and-answers.shtml.

COMPLETE REFERENCES CHAPTER 89 ATTENTION

DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER in Children,

Adolescents, and Adults

Palmer ED, Finger S. An early description of ADHD (inattention subtype): Dr. Alexander Crichton and ‘mental

restlessness’ (1798). Child Psychol Psychiatry Rev. 2001;6:66.

Pliszka SR et al. Practice parameter for the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with attentiondeficit/hyperactivity disorder. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2007;46:894.

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